failed to enter the playoffs last season, which made Trail Blazers realize the importance of the team's need to make a change. During the offseason, they even signed a two-year, $122 million early contract renewal with Lillard . It is obvious that the Trail Blazers put all the team's future hopes on Lillard, and as the Trail Blazers' tactical core, Lillard seems to have made certain changes in the new season.
Since Lillard came to the Trail Blazers, he has been the best choice for the Trail Blazers to start in the backcourt, and even handed in his first game of his career with 23 points, 11 assists and 3 rebounds. After that, Lillard became an important member of the Trail Blazers tactics. Even though the departure of Aldridge once caused the Trail Blazers to be reconstructed, Lillard's existence still gave the Trail Blazers a new direction and became the tactical core of the Trail Blazers.
Under the leadership of Lillard, the Trail Blazers' performance has also improved rapidly, and the Trail Blazers have become a regular in the playoffs. In the 2018-19 season, Lillard led the Trail Blazers all the way and reached the Western Conference Finals. If the Warriors' overall lineup was not too strong, the Trail Blazers would have a certain chance of winning. Even though the Trail Blazers lost the playoffs, people are very optimistic about the Trail Blazers' future and also regard Lillard as the top scorer in the league.
It’s a pity that the Trail Blazers’ outstanding record was only inspiration, and they showed their true colors in the second season. Although the Trail Blazers still made it to the playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round, and Lillard's performance was not satisfactory. Last season, Lillard was reimbursed in advance due to injury, and the Trail Blazers ultimately failed to enter the playoffs. In fact, judging from Lillard's leadership, it is not ideal enough, and this is why many people question Lillard's selection as the 75 superstar in NBA.
Although the team leader was not good, Lillard never "losed" in terms of salary. During the 2019 offseason, the Trail Blazers renewed Lillard with a maximum salary of $194 million for four years, and this contract also made him the first-time salary player in NBA history. After completing the contract renewal with the Trail Blazers this offseason, Lillard will receive a salary of $270 million in the next five years, making him the third player in NBA history to have a total contract of more than $250 million.
is holding the team's high salary, but he is still unable to lead the team to achieve a real breakthrough. Lillard is obviously under tremendous pressure, and his pressure will become greater and greater in the new season. The Trail Blazers sent off McCollum in the regular season last season, demonstrating the team's determination to rebuild, and the young player Simmons has also grown very rapidly. Simmons will obviously take on certain heavy responsibilities in the new season, and even if Lillard has enough tactical status in the future, it is difficult to ensure that the Trail Blazers will change their minds because the team's performance is not ideal.
Facing with the new season, Lillard obviously needs to make some changes, both in his playing style and cooperation with his teammates need to change. What's more, Billups is also a head coach who pursues team tactics. If Lillard can make effective changes, he will still be able to take the lead in the Trail Blazers. Otherwise, it will be difficult to guarantee that the Trail Blazers will have the intention to trade him.
